❓ Hon Sue Ellery questions the Minister for Education regarding concerns about inadequate funding for students with disabilities under the student-centred funding model. The Minister responds by stating there has been no reduction in funding and outlines adjustments made to address concerns.
AnsweredQoN 737Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOLS — STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY —
FUNDING
737. Hon SUE ELLERY to the Minister for Education:
I refer to ongoing concerns across
all schools that funding for students with disabilities has not been adequately
rolled out under the student-centred funding model and that schools are
receiving fewer resources in 2015 for students with exactly the same level of
need for educational support. When will this issue be fixed and will schools
receive back payment for the resources they have used to top up funding for
these students?
FUNDING
737. Hon SUE ELLERY to the Minister for Education:
I refer to ongoing concerns across
all schools that funding for students with disabilities has not been adequately
rolled out under the student-centred funding model and that schools are
receiving fewer resources in 2015 for students with exactly the same level of
need for educational support. When will this issue be fixed and will schools
receive back payment for the resources they have used to top up funding for
these students?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
The new disability funding
categories were designed to ensure the appropriate level of educational
adjustment for every eligible child. There has been no reduction in funding for
disability; in fact, an additional $20 million has been provided for a new
educational adjustment allocation. Students with disability in Western
Australia are among the best resourced in Australia.
As a result of the move to the
student-centred funding model, the number of disability funding categories was
reduced. However, the eligibility criteria remain unchanged. This change in
funding categories resulted in some students receiving a higher allocation and
others receiving a lower allocation than under the old model. Some students receive
less because a review of funding identified categories in which the allocation
was more generous than necessary for the level of adjustment required.
The Department of Education has
responded to concerns raised by principals by refining processes and resourcing
the central office disabilities team to be able to respond more promptly to
pending applications. The application process for new students and the mandated
reviews for existing students have not changed. Back payments are made when
there are complex cases and delays in the final assessment.
some notice of the question.
The new disability funding
categories were designed to ensure the appropriate level of educational
adjustment for every eligible child. There has been no reduction in funding for
disability; in fact, an additional $20 million has been provided for a new
educational adjustment allocation. Students with disability in Western
Australia are among the best resourced in Australia.
As a result of the move to the
student-centred funding model, the number of disability funding categories was
reduced. However, the eligibility criteria remain unchanged. This change in
funding categories resulted in some students receiving a higher allocation and
others receiving a lower allocation than under the old model. Some students receive
less because a review of funding identified categories in which the allocation
was more generous than necessary for the level of adjustment required.
The Department of Education has
responded to concerns raised by principals by refining processes and resourcing
the central office disabilities team to be able to respond more promptly to
pending applications. The application process for new students and the mandated
reviews for existing students have not changed. Back payments are made when
there are complex cases and delays in the final assessment.
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